Ilegal raves thwarted by police in villages

THREE illegal raves were thwarted by police over the bank holiday in Bedfordshire villages.

The first rave was disrupted on Friday night in Lidlington at a site off Sheep Lane.

The following evening officers prevented a second rave from being set up in the Steppingley area. Police intercepted a convoy of ten vehicles, three of which contained sound equipment which was seized. The drivers and passengers were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to cause public nuisance.

A third rave was closed down in the early hours of Sunday morning at a site off Cobblers Lane in Ridgmont. Officers dispersed around 400 people, while organisers were told their sound system would be seized if they did not comply with the order.

Chief Inspector Neill Waring said: “The key to disrupting raves is early intervention, but to do that we need prior intelligence of events happening so we can get appropriate police resources in place.

“It is only by working together with the community we stand a better chance of having a more peaceful summer.

“We want to make it clear that Bedfordshire Police will being taking a firm line on illegal raves and those people who organise them.

Anyone with information about raves can contact Beds Police, in confidence, on 012343 841212 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.